Trains 2008 – November 7th – 10th 2008, www.bctrains.orgTrains is British Columbia’s premier annual model railroading exhibition held at the Cameron Recreation Centre in Burnaby.
Trains 2008 will consist of two primary components:
1. The NMRA meet open to all who choose to register (you need not be an NMRA member)
2. The public show
The meet will be held between November 7th (Friday) and the 10th (Monday) with the two-day public show being held Saturday November 8th, and Sunday the 9th.
We would love to invite you to register for the Trains 2008 meet, and this e mail will outline the various activities you can look forward to as a registrant!
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ACTIVITIES FOR TRAINS 2008
OPERATING SESSIONS – Friday November 7th, Included with Basic Registration
Have the chance to visit a new layout and take your hand at operating the layout in various capacities. For past participants we will strive to have you attend a different venue than in 2006 or 2007. Layouts that participate in this activity are of varied scales and operating systems.
ESCORTED LAYOUT TOUR – Saturday November 8th, $20
See several layouts in the Burnaby area of Vancouver with transportation by chartered bus. Your tour conductor will give you an outline of each layout before you arrive and the host will then guide you through each of the spectacular layouts we will be visiting. This is an opportunity not to be missed!
CLINICS – Saturday/Sunday November 8th/9th, Included with Basic Registration
2008 will see more clinics than in previous years that will also cover a wider variety of topics. See our website for clinics that are currently confirmed, and more will be added shortly. There is no doubt that clinics offer a great value and experience for participants!
CONTESTS – Saturday/Sunday November 8th/9th, Included with Basic Registration
Have the chance to enter into any of our 10 contest categories. Trains 2008 will he holding contests for:
1. Locomotive - Steam or Diesel locomotive.
2. Rolling Stock - Any car that is not a locomotive.
3. Train - A group consisting of motive power and at least one other car that rides on rails.
4. Photo/Model - Any photograph of a railroad related model.
5. Photo/Prototype - Any photograph of a real world railroad related item.
6. Structures /On Line - On Line structures are considered to be those normally owned by the railroad, or having rail loading/unloading facilities on the right of way.
7. Off-Line - Models of items that are used to complete a model railroad scene but not necessarily directly related to a railroad.
8. Diorama - Any scene created by a model or models that includes a base.
9. Module - A group of models including supplemental scenery and track work which is designed to attach to and operate in conjunction with other similar units or layouts.
10. Layout - A group of models including supplemental scenery and track work, which has as its purpose to operate as a railroad
We would love to see you enter into one of these great contests to show your modeling skills and also to inspire others about the great results they too can have as a model railroader.
ESCORTED HALL TOUR – Saturday/Sunday November 8th/9th, Included with Basic Registration
New for 2008 this activity will include a detailed and guided tour of the display hall so registrants can have get an even better look at layouts and selected exhibitors. The tour will include discussions on operating systems (DC/DCC), operating schemes, club/association membership, and anything else the group feels topical to discuss. This should be a great opportunity to network and learn new things for registrants.
MEET BANQUET – Sunday November 9th, $30
Phil Mason will be speaking to the banquet this year about his 30 year railroad experience featuring many interesting and dynamic slides from his career. This promises to be a very interesting presentation that will offer a unique perspective on railroading in British Columbia. A great meal by Cosmic catering will also be served featuring salmon, roast beef, Caesar salad, fruit salad, and other fantastic sides. Dessert and tea will also be served.
PROTOTYPE TOUR – Monday November 10th, $20
The prototype tour for 2008 will be an exceptional opportunity to get inside two usually secured facilities, Delta Port and West Shore Terminals. With a guide and chartered bus participants will be taken directly into the heart of these two rail served operations where they will have the chance to photograph various equipment and ask questions from representatives of the facilities. Government issued photo identification is required to participate in this activity.
RAILROAD PROTOTYPE MODELING – Saturday November 8th, Included with Basic Registration
Members of the RPM group will be holding an organized gathering at Trains 2008. We encourage RPM members to register and attend this great activity to share your models , knowledge, and to ask questions.
OTHER BENEFITS OF REGISTERING
… Advanced Opening… get into the display hall one hour early on both Saturday and Sunday of the public show to find all of the deals early! If you were planning to attend the public show on both Saturday and Sunday registering is only $4 more and you get all the great activities listed above!
…Granville Island Model Train Museum… discount opportunities are available for museum entry.
…Meet new people… have the chance to network with other registrants at the registrant-only activities.
…Meet Handbook… this helpful document will guide you through Trains 2008 and all the activities we have to offer.
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REGISTRATION COSTS
Basic Registration: $20
Entitles an individual to attend the advanced opening, clinics, the operating sessions, the self-guided layout tour, and to enter contests.
Family Member: $5
Entitles an individual to attend the advanced opening, clinics, the operating sessions, and the self-guided layout tour.
Escorted Layout Tour: $20
Entitles an individual to attend the escorted layout tour.
Meet Banquet: $30
Entitles an individual to attend the meet banquet, and to purchase additional tickets for individuals not registered for the meet.
Prototype Tour: $20
Entitles an individual to attend the prototype tour.
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PUBLIC SHOW
The public show will be held from 10am-4pm Saturday November 8th and Sunday November 9th.
Entrance Fares:
Adult (16-59) $8
Youth (6-15)/Senior (60+) $4
Family $20
NMRA Member $4
Check out our website for discount opportunities for show admission.
Admissions are good for one day and entitle an individual for entry into the display hall and introductory public clinics.
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VENUE
Trains 2008 will be held at Cameron Centre – 9523 Cameron Street, Burnaby, BC. This venue is accessible by transit. Trains encourages you to think green! Carpool or take transit.
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WEBSITE
To register, or get more information visit:
www.bctrains.orgFor those who plan on registering we encourage you to do so early. Early registration will guarantee your ability to participate in all the activities that you would like too and also in some cases will allow greater flexibility for some activities, such as the operating sessions. On an administrative note we also prefer earlier registrations as it allows us to better anticipate demand for activities. In recent years there has been a trend for registrations to come in later and later. This has meant a delay in revenue generation for the meet, and has also lead to uncertainty in demands for capacity for clinics and tours. We are having difficulty operating under these conditions and would be hugely appreciative of those who are able to register early.
We would love to see you at the Trains 2008 meet and encourage you to take a look at what we have to offer.
If you’re new to Trains there is a lot to see and do, and for those returning we have added several activities and changes others so you receive the best value for your registration.
www.bctrains.orgHappy Railroading!